After completing the application form online, please proceed to “Admission Information” for the graduate program in the Political Science. Note that there are different application requirements for US citizens and International Students.

Applicants for the Fall Semester should submit completed applications by February 15.

The Department of Political Science occasionally admits students in the Spring Semester, particularly candidates who have started some graduate study at other universities. The deadline for Spring admissions is October 15.

If you need further assistance with the application process, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Church, Director of Graduate Studies jchurch.uh.edu.

Official GRE scores: The GRE should be taken at least one month prior to submitting your application. Your scores must be sent electronically to the University of Houston (code: 6870) by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Official GRE scores must be received by the Department before we will consider the application complete. The GRE scores should be no more than five years old. For details on the on how to sign up for the GRE please see www.ets.org.

Statement of Purpose: A brief essay (a few paragraphs should suffice) stating why you want to get a graduate degree and what you will do with it once you graduate, and how your scholarly interests fit with the resources of the Department. The statement of purpose not only serves as a writing sample, it allows us to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for this program. The statement, along with any other writing samples, must be uploaded via the myUH. Please see the Graduate School Application: http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/Admissions/how-to-apply/. Make sure to upload the statement under “Optional-Misc. Items.”

Three letters of recommendation, preferably from past instructors who can comment on your academic work in detail. Your online application will request the names and contact information of three referees. Once you submit the application, a message will be sent to each of them requesting the letter.

A non-refundable $65 application fee is required. Payment must be made in the form of Credit Card

Official GRE scores: The GRE should be taken at least one month prior to submitting your application. Your scores must be sent electronically to the University of Houston (code: 6870) by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Official GRE scores must be received by the Department before we will consider the application complete. The GRE scores should be no more than five years old. For details on the on how to sign up for the GRE please see www.ets.org.

Statement of Purpose. A brief essay (a few paragraphs should suffice), stating why you want to get a graduate degree and what you will do with it once you graduate and how your scholarly interests fit with the resources of the Department. The statement of purpose not only serves as a writing sample, it allows us to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for this program. The statement, along with any other writing samples, must be uploaded via the myUH. Please see the Graduate School Application: http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/Admissions/how-to-apply/. Make sure to upload the statement under “Optional-Misc. Items.”

Three letters of recommendation, preferably from past instructors who can comment on your academic work in detail. Your online application will request the names and contact information of three referees. Once you submit the application, a message will be sent to each of them requesting the letter.

Evidence of satisfactory English proficiency. All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to the university. To fulfill this requirement, applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:

Baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or at an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Turks and Caicos, and English-speaking Canadian provinces.

Present one of the following scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

A score of 79 or higher on the Internet based version (iBT), with a minimum writing score of 20

A score of 550 or higher on the paper and pencil version (passing score = 550), with a minimum writing score of 58

Alternatively, present a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with a minimum writing score of 6.5.

Scores must not be more than two years old. Photocopies or other duplication of scores are not acceptable. They must be sent directly to UH by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). When ordering scores, be sure to include the University of Houston's ETS School Code 6870.

All transcripts, along with all other supporting documentation listed below, must be mailed to the following address:

Original or certified transcripts of previous education both in the original language and the English translation. The graduate program will evaluate the course work for the last 60 semester hours completed and the degree in addition to test scores and letters of reference to determine an applicant's admissibility. If you have any questions about the credentials required, please contact the Office of International Admissions.

Syllabus, catalog, or bulletin translated into English, from the foreign college or university attended, which describes course work taken, will be required before a transfer credit evaluation can be completed.

A non-refundable $140 application fee is required. Payment must be made in the form of Credit Card

Statement of Understanding. The Statement of Understanding is a form explaining the conditions of acceptance into all University of Houston Graduate Studies program. This form must be signed by all international students.

Letter of Financial Backing. The University of Houston requires confirmation of financial resources for each applicant who is not a U.S. citizen.

Two Passport-Sized Photos.

Non U.S. Citizens

Applicants who hold student (F-1) or other temporary visas should refer to the Information for International Students brochure and application booklet, available from the Office of Admissions (see the important contact addresses and phone numbers section).

Acceptance

When all required documents are on file, an admission decision will be made by the department. If you have been notified of your acceptance, you will also receive information regarding orientation, which occurs prior to the start of the semester. The university encourages students to apply well in advance of the deadlines to ensure a complete review of all qualifications.

Applications are valid for the specific semester applied. Students unable to enroll in the semester for which a decision is made must contact the Department of Political Science to update their application for enrollment to a future semester. Students must notify the Department of Political Science in writing, by telephone, or in person of their decision to delay enrollment.

Residency Requirements

Generally, applicants who have resided and been employed in the state of Texas for 12 consecutive months prior to the time of enrolling in an institution of higher learning are entitled to be classified as residents. Foreign nationals who hold F-1 or any other temporary visas are considered nonresidents and are required to pay the nonresident/foreign tuition charges.

Students granted teaching or research assistantships from the Department of Political Science are eligible for a waiver of nine hours per semester of nonresident tuition. For more information, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Jeffrey Churchvia email or phone at 713-743-3914.

Students are responsible for registering under the proper residency classification. If there is a question regarding residency classification, students are responsible for raising the issue with the appropriate administrative officials at least three weeks prior to registration.

Expenses and Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees:

An installment payment program is available for students who are unable to meet the total cost of tuition and fees at the beginning of the semester. Details on the program will be made available at the time of initial billing. Additionally, short-term loans are available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Tuition, the student service fee, and the tuition designated fee are required of all students. The schedule of charges breaks down these expenses by semester hour. See “Graduate Costs and Financial Aid” http://www.uh.edu/admissions/financial/graduate/

Teaching Assistantships:

A teaching assistant is a student who is enrolled full time (a minimum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit) and who holds an appointment requiring the performance of such duties as classroom instruction, reading papers and examinations, supervision, research, or other administrative responsibilities. To be eligible for a teaching assistantship, students must have an undergraduate degree or its equivalent, must be admitted to a graduate program, and should be prepared to work fulltime toward the degree. Appointments to graduate assistantships are made by the college dean, based on department recommendations. Consult the Department of Political Science Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Jeffrey Church, for more information.

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides assistance to students through a program of loans, grants, and employment. This office analyzes all aid applications and assures complete confidentiality to students who supply information. Students interested in financial aid should apply well in advance of the semester for which admission is desired. For most aid packages (with the exception of teaching assistantships) the deadline for application falls in March , prior to the year of planned enrollment.

For further information about financial aid, call or write theOffice of Scholarships and Financial Aid

Mailing Address

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid University of Houston 31 E Cullen Building Houston,TX 77204-2010

Veterans' Services

Students who are Veterans, as well as dependents and survivors of veterans who are entitled to VA educational benefits, should visit the Veterans' Services Office in room 268 of the University Center Satellite to apply for educational benefits and obtain general information about these benefits. The Veterans' Services Office also offers a scholarship guide, computer lab, fax capabilities, copy privileges, and counseling on a wide variety of subjects for veterans. Questions should be directed to:

Students With DisABILITIES

In compliance with the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Houston provides "reasonable academic accommodation" to any student with health impairments, physical limitations, psychiatric disorders and/or learning disabilities. Any students requiring such accommodations must contact Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD). Services offered through CSD include documentation review and establishment of what constitutes a "reasonable accommodation" for each student, disability related counseling, advocacy, a variety of accessible computers and software, textbooks on tape, sign-language interpreters, wheelchair repair, attendant care program, learning disability support services, and special testing accommodations as well as other services. The CSD office also works closely with Texas Rehabilitation Commission and Texas Commission for the Blind. For further information write or call:

Residential Life and Housing

The residence halls system is composed of four major campus complexes: the Quadrangle, Moody Towers, Cougar Place, and Cambridge Oaks Apartments. Cambridge Oaks is an apartment complex which opened in Fall 1990. Cambridge Oaks offers housing to all members of the University of Houston-undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and families.

Opening fall 2009, the 984-bed Calhoun Lofts project will begin an exciting phase of urban campus living by bringing the best of city living on campus. Calhoun Lofts will have a variety of choices including efficiencies, one-bedroom and two-bedroom loft units, many with panoramic views of the city skyline. Conveniently located at Entrance 19, in close proximity to the Bauer College of Business, the Cullen College of Engineering, the UH Law Center, the College of Architecture and the College of Optometry, The Calhoun Lofts will be the first project dedicated to graduate and professional students at the University of Houston.

Note: Admission acceptance does not guarantee housing, nor does receipt of a reservation or referral for space in housing guarantee admission to the university.

Child Care

The Child Care Center is staffed by trained personnel to provide quality program services to meet the needs of student, faculty, and staff parents. The center enrolls children from 3 months to 5 years, and the Lab School enrolls children from 2 years to kindergarten.

Competitive Fellowship Factors

Doctoral Student Tuition Fellowships

This fellowship is designed to encourage students to complete PhD degrees in a timely manner. It replaces the GATF (Graduate Assistant teaching Fellowship) and is to be used to provide fellowships covering the cost of in-state tuition (up to 9 credit hours per long semester, 6 credit hours in the summer), as described below, for qualified doctoral students.

Requirements:

Recipients must have an undergraduate degree or its equivalent and be admitted to a UH graduate or professional program.

Recipients must be enrolled full time (9 credit hours per long semester and six hours during the summer, the latter if approved by department) in a PhD program or, in certain college approved cases, a terminal degree program.

Continuing students must have shown satisfactory progress in the degree program as defined by the department.

Students who enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree may hold the fellowship for no more than four academic years.

Doctoral degree-seeking students who enter the doctoral program directly from a baccalaureate program may hold the fellowship for no more than six academic years.

Graduate students holding the fellowship must agree not to be employed (on or off-campus) for no more than 20 hours per week (50% FTE). Violation of this provision will result in withdrawal of funding during the semester in which the violation occurs.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will make such nominations based on the following:

Applicant’s letters of recommendation and the qualifications of the letter writers.

Applicant’s demonstrated interest in obtaining a doctoral degree as evidenced by his/her statement of purpose.

Applicant’s preparation to succeed in the doctoral program, for instance, a relevant prior Master’s degree, a record of previous courses in applicant’s desired field of study, or relevant background in government or politics.

Applicant’s performance on exams such as the Graduate Record Exam and the TOEFL.